TREATMENT OF ACUTE CYANIDE POISONING

Abstract

† Two cases of acute poisoning by the inhalation of hydrogen cyanide are described. The first patient regained consciousness 40 minutes after his collapse; in the interval he was treated with inhalations of amyl nitrite and intravenous injections of 0.3 gm. of sodium nitrite and 12.5 gm. of sodium thiosulfate. The second patient remained stuporous during the five hours that followed her collapse; during that interval she received inhalations of oxygen and carbon dioxide and of amyl nitrite as well as an intravenous injection of 0.6 gm. of sodium thiosulfate. Much improvement followed the intravenous injection of 50 cc. of a 1 % solution of methylene blue. No dramatic effects were obtained from alternating injections of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate in her case. Both patients made complete recoveries.